Catching up with Reign FC’s busy offseason (including a trade of U.S. internationals)

Admittedly, it’s been hard to keep up with Reign FC’s offseason moves during the MLS playoffs, but better late than never when catching up with the local NWSL team.

Seattle has certainly been active as it approaches Year 2.

Here is a rundown…

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— In the biggest move, and one of the biggest the league has seen recently, the Reign traded forward Amy Rodriguez to FC Kansas City for forward Kristie Mewis, a swap of U.S. internationals. Rodriguez missed the entire 2013 season as she was starting a family. Mewis was the No. 3 overall pick in the last college draft and started for the USWNT in Sunday’s 4-1 win against Brazil. It could be a defining move for the upcoming campaign. “Kristie is a young, bright and talented player who we feel can benefit our long-term plan,” said Laura Harvey, head coach and general manager, in a news release. “She has proven that she can be a high-level player in this environment and we feel we have the structure to help push Kristie to the next level.”

— Midfielder Keelin Winters, 24, signed a two-year deal through the 2015 season. The team captain had been a U.S. allocated player last year, but won’t be in the near future. Winters was acquired last season in a trade with Chicago, meaning the Red Stars will get a future U.S. allocated player from Seattle. “I am 100-percent committed to helping (owner) Bill Predmore and Laura Harvey build a world-class football club here at home in Seattle,” she said in a release.

— In another trade, the Reign acquired defenders Alina Garciamendez (a Mexican international) and Nikki Marshall (who started 22 games for champion Portland last season) along with the No. 17 overall selection in the upcoming college draft from Washington. Seattle, in exchange, sent the Spirit forward Renae Cuellar (a Mexican international), the No. 23 pick and the rights to forward Jodie Taylor (an English forward playing in Australia who the Reign selected as a discovery player).

— Defender Elli Reed, 24, has signed a one-year deal for 2014 with an option for 2015. She was recently on loan with Swedish club Kristianstads DFF. “She was a valued member of our team last year, both on and off the field,” Harvey said in a news release. “We expect great things from her during our upcoming season.”

— Midfielder Jess Fishlock broke her wrist a couple weeks ago while on loan with Scotland’s Glasgow City FC. The injury is not expected to be too serious.

— Seattle waived midfielder Emily Van Egmond, an Australian international who signed late in the season.

— As mentioned earlier, the USWNT beat Brazil, 4-1, with a number of Reign players in action. Three Seattle players started: goalkeeper Hope Solo, defender Stephanie Cox and Mewis. Forward/midfielder Megan Rapinoe was left off the squad to participate in UEFA Champions League action while on loan with France’s Lyon.